In Your Travels

In the Doldrums

Back in the age of sail, there was a part of the world where ships would get stuck. The trade winds didn't blow consistently in this place. The ships would sit there unable to move. The would throw the day's waste over the side and sit, mired in it, unable to escape what they would normally leave behind. Weeds and other junk would grow on the ship's hull, slowing it down. Today, like so many other nautical phrases, "in the doldrums" is still in use to illustrate a feeling of being stuck.

Well that is just how I feel. Riding pretty well today, but only managing 13th place, I was manifestly in the doldrums. I rode a pretty good race but just couldn't get going when I needed to, and mostly it was my head that was the problem. I refused to ride agressively throughout the race and first I missed a break that stuck, and then I had a chance to bridge across to it but declined, thinking it would be caught, but it wasn't. And that failure to take the initiative saw a swarm of riders pass me with 1.5 laps to go. After that I was hopelessly boxed in and couldn't get out until it was too late. I passed may people in the sprint, but was so far back I came in 13th. That was no money and three BAR points. Evan Fader won again, escaping from the breakaway and soloing in. In case you're keeping track, that is his fourth win in this district this year, and brings his upgrade point talley to 41. After 60 he is eligible for a forced upgrade. I can hardly wait. And I'm not the only one fixin' to call him a sandbagger M STREET RACING: Ok, Evan, enough is enough. Turn yourself (and your kit) in. To us. In the parking lot. Next race.. Buddy John Raley managed to unstick his tongue from his front wheel long enough to sprint in for second place. The field caught the break right on the line but John managed to keep above water and surf the break into the line for a great finish.

The best news of the day was I managed to get 2nd on a 3 place prime. I got to the prime tent and I was suppossed to get 10 innertubes. But they were out or something and I didn't want to go to Mount Washington to pick them up anyway. So I negotiated for a Pedro's Multi-tool. I've been wanting a compact multi-tool for my seatbag and this little number is just the trick, with all the allen keys you need, a screwdriver, plus a chain tool in case the unthinkable (happened to me at least three times) happens and you break your chain while out on a ride (One Regina and two Wipperman chains in case you're wondering). It was a nice sprint I did, though I think I waited a bit to long to jump to win the prime. I need to remember to ride my own race to my strength, whereas here I let the other guy dicate the timing.

I talked to John after the race and he said that after a bad race weekend, the worst in memory last weekend, he only rode his bike once last week, at a training race on Wednesday. With one of my favorite races of the year next weekend, I will probably do the same thing, take it wasy this week, just do a couple hard efforts. Try to get some rest and just dream about winning the 35+ race and finishing the 1/2/3. Hopefully then I'll feel good enough to go up and do the BAR race on Sunday in Northern Maryland (Saturday's CSC/Clarendon Cup is not a BAR race). A win is looking so out of reach now with Evan having 190 points. Last update had me in 6th. Maybe I can recover and do well enough next weekend to get back in the hunt for a top 3 BAR finish and a plaque.

I know I'm better than my last two finishes indicate, something just seems wrong in my head, a bit of burnout. And my body is tired too. Hide the bike for a few days and I'm sure my enthusiasm and verve will return! Vic is also there in the doldrums, and is going to take a bit of time off. Stuart was there too, but seemed to just be chilling in the pack. Now off to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Overall I was just too unwilling to be aggressive, too tentative. I was afraid to overdo it as I felt like my 3rd at Baker Park was a result of just working too hard in the finale. But I think I had the chance to jump across to the break with 2 to go at the top of the hill, but I passed on the chance and it really cost me. Oh, regret. Well, live and learn. Bring the race to them!

posted by Mark @ 2:35 PM